For the first two terms of Ako a group of clever kids started designing fabulous outfits as part of Toi Showquest. There were three themes, Futuristic, Kiwiana, and Excessive accessories.

With a lot of resilience and brainstorming we all came up with a plan of what our outfits would look like. A lot of changes were made along the way, our group's outfit was almost completely different from our original plans. The day was quickly approaching and some of us had still not finished. We pushed through and on the day we had 4 finished outfits.

Ms Torrens borrowed a van from Glen Eden Primary School  and we got ready and packed our outfits. We jumped into the van and we were on our way to the Aotea Theatre. We arrived and were shown to a room filled with people and a lot of loud dancers. We had our own area and started to set up. All the groups had to start getting ready for the photo shoot. 3021, my group, started adding silver eyeshadow and sparkles to Delilah's face. Lucia held the mirror. Sophia and I gelled back Delilah's hair into a slick bun as she needed to look powerful and strong. We also sprayed her hair silver. We then assembled the whole outfit.

Danielle and Lucy’s group painted intricate tree designs along Danielle’s face and arms.

Kuini Huka, Hazel and Nglia’s group did detailed blue and white makeup on Hazel’s face.

Te Wairua o te Papatuanuku, Mary and Anushka’s group added gold eyeshadow, and got their umbrella and outfit ready. We all got to the photo shoot and the models got their photos taken, the judges based their opinion on these photos.

Then it was time for rehearsal, we did two rehearsals just to make sure everything was perfect. The designers sat in the audience cheering the models on. I yelled so hard I nearly lost my voice. After that we got some dinner and then it was show time! We were all so nervous. Everyone did so well and the outfits looked fabulous. Once all of the 70 outfits walked the runway they brought back out the top 20. Standing there was Delilah from my group, the speaker called out 3021. We had won an award, Sophia, Lucia and I had never screamed so hard. We won an award for the most innovative materials. We came into this not knowing what to expect, and all of us left knowing that we had done well, and had something to be proud of.

By Olive Cochrane, Room 31